Apparatus and method for processing workpieces

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for processing (e.g., cleaning, degreasing) workpieces which are supplied to the apparatus in containers or tote boxes includes a frame for removably engaging the tote box and means for continuously rotating the frame so that the workpieces are progressively and gently dumped into a perforated processing chamber and subsequently returned to the tote box. The processing chamber comprises a first inclined surface for receiving and spreading the dumped workpieces into a less confined area upon the partial rotation of the frame (whereupon the processing of parts may be commenced) and a second inclined surface for returning the processed workpieces to the tote box upon the further rotation of the frame. Methods for such processing, as well as carousel and conveyor systems incorporating such apparatus, are also disclosed.

2,924,229 2/1960 Kearneyetal................ 134/79 3,134,203 5/1964Roberts........... l34/157X 3,350,224 10/1967Sadwith........................ 134/157X FOREIGN PATENTS PrimaryExaminerMorris O. Wolk Assistant Examiner-Joseph T. ZatargaAttorney-Frederick W. Padden lnventors Henry A. Rowan Watchung; DonaldH. Shiffner, Branchburg, NJ. [21 Appl. No. 860,957 5 Sept. 25, 1969 [45]Patented May 11,1971

Economics Laboratory, lnc. St. Paul, Minn.

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING WORKPIECES United States Patent [22]Filed [73] Assignee ABSTRACT: Apparatus for processing (e.g., cleaning,

degreasing) workpieces which are supplied to the apparatus in containersor tote boxes includes a frame for removably en- 159 gaging the tote boxand means for continuously rotating the B 81) 3/06 frame so that theworkpieces are progressively and gently 10, dumped into a perforatedprocessing chamber and subsequently returned to the tote box. Theprocessing-chamber comprises a first inclined surface for receiving andspreading the dumped workpieces into a less confined area upon thepartial rotation of the frame (whereupon the processing of parts may becommenced) and a second inclined surface for return- 134/25X ing theprocessed workpieces to the tote box upon the further 202/ 170 rotationof the frame. Methods for such processing, as well as 134/31X carouseland conveyor systems incorporating such apparatus, 134/ 1 lUX are alsodisclosed.

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ANTI RUST SPRAY STAGE 4 I WASH STAGE 3 WASH STAGE 2 LLOAD-UNLOAD STAGE lH N N ,MAE m. R W N T 00...! .7 M 4 MAM. D vr a APPARATUS AND METHOD FORPROCESSING WORKPIECES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relatesto apparatus and methods for processing workpieces of various size andshape which are supplied to the apparatus in containers or tote boxes,and, more particularly, to such apparatus and method for processingworkpieces in a single material handling operation by means of a uniquecleaning chamber.

The prior art is replete with a variety of techniques forprocessing'workpieces which are furnished to the processing apparatus intote boxes or other similar containers. Generally, the processinginvolves cleaningor degreasing the dirty parts or workpieces byfastening the tote box to a perforated cover which permits the ingressand egress of cleaning fluid, rinsing fluid and drying air or the like.The container defined by the tote box and perforated cover is typicallyrotated so that the workpieces are dumped into the cover and therebyexposed to fluids or air as the case may be.

Numerous problems exist in such prior art processes, a few of which willbe briefly discussed. First, in order to secure the cover to the totebox, close tolerances in the dimensions of the tote box must bemaintained. However, even normal usage of the tote boxes results in theboxes being dented, warped or otherwise damaged, frequently to theextent the damaged tote box can not be utilized in the processingoperation. Secondly, it is typical that the tote box and cover are ofcongruent shape, usually a rectangular volume. When the workpieces aredumped into the perforated cover, they occupy essentially the samevolume in the cover as in the tote box. No spreading of the piecesoccurs. Consequently, little, if any, additional surface area of thepieces is exposed to the processing fluids. As a result the entireprocessing operation is relatively inefficient, requiring the pieces tobe reprocessed repeatedly until predetermined standards are met.Thirdly, prior art processors are adapted to clean only the workpiecesand not the tote box. Thus, the processed pieces are returned to dirtytote boxes which must be processed separately.

It is therefore a broad object of the present invention to processworkpieces efficiently.

It is another object of this invention to process workpieces of varioussize and shape supplied in tote boxes or similar containers.

It is still another object of this invention to process workpiecessupplied in tote boxes even though the tote boxes be dented, warped orotherwise damaged so as to prevent the securing of a cover thereon.

It is yet another object of this invention to process both workpiecessupplied in tote boxes as well as the tote boxes themselves.

It is a further object of this invention to process efficientlyworkpieces supplied in tote boxes by spreading them into a less confinedarea, processing the pieces and subsequently returning the processedpieces to the tote box.

It is still a further object of this invention to process workpieces inone material handling operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These and other objects are accomplished inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention comprisingapparatus for processing workpieces supplied to the apparatus in toteboxes or similar containers. The apparatus includes a frame adapted toremovably engage the tote box and means for continuously rotating theframe so that the workpieces are progressively and gently dumped into aperforated processing chamber and subsequently returned to the tote boxupon the completion of a predetermined stage of the processingoperatron.

The processing chamber comprises a first inclined surface for receivingand spreading the dumped workpieces into a less confined area uponpartial rotation of the frame. At this stage the processing of thepieces is typically commenced. The

chamber also includes a second inclined surface for returning theprocessed workpieces to the tote box upon the further rotation of theframe.

A plurality of frame-chamber assemblies are readily affixed radially ona shaft for rotation, and in one embodiment means are provided fortranslation of the shaft so that the chambers may, for example, bealternately immersed into and emersed from a processing bath whilerotation of the shaft and chamber continues.

'Multistep processing is effectuated in two illustrative embodiments ofthe assembly utilized in either a conveyor belt system or a carouselarrangement.

It is apparent therefore that the method of the present invention in oneembodiment includes the steps of: placing workpieces in tote box orcontainer, placing the container in a frame of an assembly for rotation,the frame being partially enclosed by first and second inclinedsurfaces, rotating the assembly and thereby progressively gently dumpingsaid pieces onto said first inclined surface, rotating the assemblyfurther thereby causing said parts to spread and to expose more surfacearea, subjecting said pieces during at least one of said prior rotationsteps to a processing fluid, rotating the assembly still further therebycausing said parts gently and progressively to dump onto said secondinclined portion and rotating the assembly further yet causing theprocessed parts to return to said tote box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The above and other objects of theinvention, together with its various features and advantages, can beeasily understood from the following more detailed discussion, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of one embodiment of the inventron;

FIGS. 2A-2I are schematic drawings of a second embodiment of theinvention showing sequentially the various stages of rotation of theassembly;

FIG. 3A is an elevation view of an embodiment of FIG. 1 housed inapparatus for automatic processing;

FIG. 3B is a side view of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a schematic of another embodiment of the invention showingfour assemblies mounted upon a shaft for rotatron;

FIG. 5A is a plan view of carousel arrangement for multistep processing;

FIG. 5B is anelevation view of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 is a schematic of a conveyor belt arrangement incorporating theassembly of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION.

With reference then to FIG. 1, there is shown in accordance with oneillustrative embodiment of the invention an assembly 10 for use in theprocessing of workpieces supplied in a tote box I2 or other similarcontainer such as a basket. The processing can include, among otheroperations, washing, drying, spraying, degreasing or any combinationthereof. The tote box 12 is engaged by the frame 14 by means of angleirons 16 which form a slot into which the box is inserted. The lateralseparation of the angle irons is preferably slightly less than the widthof the bottom of the box so as to provide a pressure fit. In addition,it is desirable that the angle irons be inclined soas to conform to anytaper in the sides of the tote box (see FIG. 3A). Other means ofsecuring the tote box to prevent slippage during rotation of the frame14 can, of course, be readily devised by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Forexample, it may be desirable to provide the frame 14 with a spring-loadmechanism to further insure against slippage.

\ In the following discussion a frame a reference for clockwiserotation, and with tote box 12 in an upright position, is assumed forthe purposes of clarity and convenience only. An equivalent descriptionfor counterclockwise rotation would, of course, be obvious to oneskilled in the art.

The assembly is typically rotated clockwise about a shaft 18 so as todump the workpieces from the box and subject them to processingoperations. To efficiently effectuate such processing, the frame ispartially enclosed by a perforated chamber comprising a first inclined,curved surface 20 for receiving and spreading the workpieces uponpartial rotation of the shaft 18 and hence the tote box 12. Surface 20,which is shown to be concave inwardly toward the axis of rotation ofshaft 18, extends upwardly and to the left from a region near to one topedge 13 of tote box 12 a distance along the surface greater than thewidth of the tote box opening to a region remote from the opposite topedge 157 The chamber also includes a second inclined surface 22,connected to curved surface 20, for returning the processed workpiecesto the tote box upon further rotation of shaft 18. As shown in FIG. 1the surface 22 may illustratively be constructed in the form of 'atrapezoidal chute having lateral raised triangular Wings 220 and 22bdisposed on either side of surface 22 to assist in preventing workpiecesfrom sliding laterally out of the chamber. Surface 22 extends downwardlyand to the right from the remote portion 21 of surface 20 to thevicinity of top edge of tote box 12. Of course, receiving and spreadingsurface is preferably perforated to allow the ingress and egress ofprocessing fluids and the like. Surface 22 may or may not be perforatedas the particular processing operation dictates.

Before discussing in detail the embodiment of the foregoingframe-chamber assembly in a complete processing machine, it will behelpful to consider in detail the manner in which the assemblyefiiciently etfectuates the processing. Turning then to FIGS. 2A to 21,there is shown schematically a second embodiment of an assembly 100 invarious stages of rotation of shaft 18. In this embodiment only planarsurfaces are utilized. Thus, the receiving and spreading surfacecomprises an inclined surface 200 extending, as before, from a regionnear to one top edge 13 of tote box 12 upwardly and to the left to aregion remote from the opposite top edge 15; and a horizontal surface20b connected to the remote edge 25, of surface 20a. As before, thedistance along surfaces 200 and 20b is greater than the width of thetote box opening. Similarly, the return surface comprises a verticalsurface 22c connected to one edge 23 of horizontal surface 20b and aninclined surface 22d connected to the free edge of surface 22c andextending downwardly and to the right to the vicinity of top edge 15 oftote box 12.

For the purposes of illustration consider that each stage shown by theseparate drawings represents a rotation of shaft 18 through 45. Whilethe drawings depict discrete stages, it is nonetheless possible andprobably preferable that the rotation be continuous. The followingdiscussion applies equally as well, of course, to the assemblyembodiment of FIG. 1. Thus, in FIG. 2A the assembly 10a is shown mountedon shaft 18 and disposed completely above a solution level 24. Theworkpieces 11 in tote box 12 are indicated generally to occupy the spaceup to the irregular dashed line. Upon rotation of shaft 18 through 45(FIG. 2B) the frame 14, tote box 12 and workpieces 11 are immersed intothe solution. The workpieces still remain in the tote box but begin toslide to one side. Rotation through 90 (FIG. 2C) begins the gradual andprogressive dumping of the workpieces onto the receiving and spreadingsurface 20. At 135 of rotation, the workpieces 11 are completely dumpedand spread out over surface 20. It is to be especially noted that inthis stage of the processing the workpieces are spread into a lessconfined area as compared with the original enclosure in the tote box(FIG. 2A). This separation of the workpieces permits effectiveapplication of the processing fluids (liquids or vapors). As theassembly continues to rotates, the workpieces move with respect to oneanother thus exposing more and different surfaces, thereby assuringthorough processing. In addition, this assembly effectively processes(e.g., cleans) the tote box as well. Rotation through 180 (FIG. 2F.)causes the workpieces to accumulate on surface 20b in preparation fortheir return to the tote box 12. After 225 and 270 of rotation (FIGS. 2Fand 2G, respectively) the workpieces begin to gradually flow back to thetote box being guided by return surface 22. After 270 the entireassembly is again completely above the solution level 24. Upon 315 ofrotation (FIG. 2H1) the workpieces begin to move down return surface 22and finally after 360 the processed workpieces 11 are completelyreturned to tote box 12. With each 360 rotation the workpieces areemptied from the tote box, spread out and then returned to the tote box.Rotation typically continues throughout the processing cycle which mayinclude, for example, a drain period.

One way in which such a processing cycle can be embodied is shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B. A pair of frame-chamber assemblies 10 are disposeddiametrically opposite each other on shaft 18 for rotation in thedirection of the arrow. The shaft and assemblies are enclosed within ahousing 30 which includes a solution tank 32 for processing theworkpieces 11. The tote boxes are supplied to the housing and assemblyby means of a cantilevered roller bearing platform 31. With each totebox secured in separate assemblies by angle irons 16 as previouslydescribed, the shaft 18 is set into rotation by means of motor 34 housedin enclosure 35 and coupled to shaft 18 via a pulley mechanism includingpulleys 36 and 38 and belt 40. To lower the assemblies so that uponrotation each is immersed in the solution, the shaft 18 shown in FIG. 3Ais translated to position 18 either manually or by automatic motor drivemeans not shown. As previously described, with the shaft in position 18the workpieces are progressively and gently dumped from the tote boxesinto the chamber, spread out, processed and subsequently returned to thetote boxes. While the shaft continues to rotate, it may be raised to itsinitial level to allow for rinsing, draining, drying or other processingoperations.

While the embodiment of FIG. 3A depicts only two assemblies disposedupon shaft 18, it is readily possible to adapt the assemblies such thatvirtually any plurality of assemblies, within space and structurallimitations, can be mounted on the shaft. FIG. 4, for example, showsfour assemblies 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d mounted symmetrically about shaft18. Each as sembly of such an embodiment functions essentially the sameas the assembly described with reference to FIGS. 2A to 21. In general,a plurality N of such assemblies 10 may be disposed circumferentiallyabout shaft 18 in a symmetrical arrangement in which each assemblyoccupies approximately an angular sector of 360/N".

The assembly as described may be embodied in a singlestage immersion orspray-type apparatus or may be utilized in multistage operationscontrolled either manually or automatically. One such multistageapparatus is shown in the carousel configuration of FIGS. 5A and 58.Pairs of tote boxes 12 are furnished to the carousel on a conveyor 42.The tote boxes are inserted within a cylindrical container 44 whichhouses a pair of frame-chamber assemblies mounted on a shaft 18 aspreviously described. The shaft is turned by rotation drive 46 coupledto the shaft by belt 48 and pulley 50.

In the load-unload stage 1, the container 44, including the tote boxes12 and a cover 52, are pneumatically lifted by means of air cylinders 54and subsequently rotated by means of indexing air cylinder 56 to stage 2designed for the purpose of illustration only as a wash stage. The aircylinder 54 then lowers the tote boxes 12 and container 44 into thestage 2 housing 58 and the cover 52 is set in place over the top of thehousing. During this stage a cleaning solution of the spray or immersiontype is applied to the workpieces being rotated by shaft 18. Thesolution or spray may be heated by means of gas burner 60. Upon thecompletion of the stage 2 washing, the air cylinders 54 lift thecontainer 44 and tote boxes 12 out of housing 58 and the indexing aircylinder 56 rotates both to the next stage i.e., wash stage 3. Theentire procedure is then repeated with the tote boxes beingprogressively rotated to each stage, processed and rotated to the nextsuccesive stage. Illustratively, the successive stages include antirustspray stage 4 (including pump 59, filter 61 and gas exhaust 63), drystage 5 (including hot air equipment 65) and finally unloading stage '1.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are merelyillustrative of the many possible specific embodiments which can bedevised torepresent application of the principles of the invention.Numerous and varied other arrangements can be devised in accordance withthese principles by those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. in particular, single or multistageprocessing can be accomplished in a conveyor belttype arrangement asshown in FIG. 6. A plurality of frame: chamber assemblies are mounted ona chainbelt 62 which is driven by a motor 64 through a drive wheel 66.Each assembly 10 is aifixed to the chain belt 62 by meansof an arm 70rigidly attached to a gear or pinion 68, the latter being rotatablymounted on the belt. As the pinion 68 engages the rack 72, the pinion 68andhence the assembly 10 is made to rotate causing the workpieces lltobe dumped and spread as previously described. To effectuate 360 ofrotation the length of the rack should be approximately equal to thecircumference of the pinion. Alternatively, to produce a plurality ofcomplete rotations the length of the rack may be made an integralmultiple of the circumference of the pinion. in addition, the rack 72 isdisposed above a processing station (e.g., solution tank 74) at such aheight that upon rotation of the assembly 10 at least the workpieces areimmersed in the solution. Of course, the arm 70 may readily be designedsuch that the tote box 12 is also immersed, thereby allowing the box'tobe processed as well.

We claim:

1. Rotatable apparatus for processing workpieces supplied to saidapparatus in an open container, in a frame of reference for clockwiserotation and in which said container is in an upright position, saidapparatus comprising means for engaging said container to preventslippage thereof upon rotation of said apparatus,

first surface means for receiving and-progressively spreading workpiecesdumped from said container upon the partial rotation of said apparatus,said workpieces thereupon being subject to processing operations, saidfirst surface means extending upwardly and to the left from a regionnear to one top edge of said container a distance along said surfacemeans greater than the width of said container opening to a regionremote from the opposite top edge of said container, and

second surface means for progressively returning said processedworkpieces to said container upon further rotation of said apparatus,said second surface means extending downwardly and to the right fromsaid remote region to a region near to the opposite tope edge of saidcontainer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said engaging means comprises aframe for carrying said container, and

means forming an elongated slot in said frame of width slightly lessthan the width of the bottom of said container, thereby to provide apressure fit for said container and to prevent its slippage uponrotation of said tip paratus.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said slot forming means comprises apair of parallel angle irons disposed in spaced relation to one another,their spaced-apart distance corresponding to the width of said slot.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first means comprises a firstinclined perforated planar surface extending upwardly and to the leftfrom a region near to one top edge of said contained to a region remotefrom the opposite top edge of said container, and

a substantially horizontal perforated surface having one edge connectedto the uppermost edge of saidfirst inclined surface, said surfaces incombination functioning to'receive and spread workpieces upon thepartial rotation of said apparatus.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said second means comprises asubstantially vertical planar surface having one edge connected to afree edge of said horizontal surface, and a second inclined planarsurface having one edge connected to a free edge of said verticalsurface and extending 5 downwardly and to the right to a region near tosaid opposite top edge of said container so that said workpieces arereturned to said container upon the further rotation of said apparatus.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first means comprisesaperforated surface curved concavely inward toward the center ofrotation of said apparatus.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said second means comprises aninclined surface coupled to said curved surface along-the uppen'nostedge thereof in said remote region so as 5 to form one continuoussurface. I

8; The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said inclined surface includes atrapezoidal section and a pair of raisedwing triangular members disposedon opposite edges of said section which also'extend from said uppermostedge of said curved surface in the direction of said opposite top'edgeof said container, thereby to prevent lateral slippage of saidworkpieces from said-inclined surface upon the rotation ofsaidapparatus.

9. The apparatus of claim l in combination with means for rotating saidapparatus about an axis so as to progressively dump said workpieces fromsaid container into said first means, and means for positioning saidapparatus from one processing station to another. I 3O 10. Thecombination of claim 9 including a plurality of processing stationsdisposed circumferentially about a center and including a loading andunloading station, and wherein said. rotating means comprises acylindrical container, a

rotatable shaft extending axially therethrough, at least one of saidapparatus mounted upon said shaft,

means for loading said open containers with workpieces therein into theapparatus in said cylindrical container, means for sequentiallypositioning said loaded cylindrical container at each of said stations,

means at each of said stations for subjecting said workpieces in saidcontainers to preselected processing operations,

' and means for rotating said shaft and hence said apparatus at each ofsaid stations.

11. The combination of claim 10 wherein each of said processing stationscomprises an enclosure having an opening on its top surface forreceiving said cylindrical container,

pneumatic means for controlling the vertical position of saidcylindrical container, said means being adapted to lift saidcylindricalcontainer above the height of said enclosure,

index air cylinder means for rotating the said cylinder to a positionabove the opening, said pneumatic means being adapted to thereuponlowersaid cylindrical cylinder into said enclosure.

12. The combination of claim 9 wherein said rotating means comprises arotatable shaft to which at least one of said apparatus is coupled sothat upon rotation of said shaft about its longitudinal axis said workpieces are first dumped from said container into said first means andsubsequently returned to said container by said second means,

means for rotating said shaft about its longitudinal axis, and

wherein said positioning means comprises means for translating saidshaft in a direction normal to its longitudinal axis to a plurality ofpositions, and

means for subjecting said workpieces to processing operations in each ofsaid positions.

13. The combination of claim 12 wherein said subjecting means comprisesa tank for carrying a processing solution and an enclosed space forconfining processing vapors, and wherein said positioning meanscomprises means for translating said apparatus from immersion in saidtank solution to exposure to vapors in said enclosed space, said shaftand apparatus being rotated continuously in each of said positions.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein a plurality N of said apparatusare disposed circumferentially around said shaft in a symmetricalarrangement in which each of said apparatus occupies approximately anangular sector of 360/N.

15. The combination of claim 14 wherein a pair of said apparatus arecoupled to said shaft and are disposed in l 80 sectors diametricallyopposite one another with respect to said shaft as a center of symmetry.

16. The combination of claim 9 wherein said positioning means comprisesa conveyor belt,

means for rotatably connecting at least one of said apparatus to saidbelt comprising a gear rotatably affixed to said belt, said gear andapparatus being rigidly affixed to one another,

means adjacent to each of said processing stations for rotat ing saidgear upon the translation of said belt, so as to cause said apparatus torotate, and

means for translating said belt.

17. The combination of claim 16 wherein said gear rotating meanscomprises an elongated horizontal rack having a plurality of teethdisposed so as to engage said gear.

18. The combination of claim 17 wherein the length of said rack isapproximately equal to an integral multiple of the length of thecircumference of said gear.

19. Rotatable apparatus for processing workpieces or parts of varioussize and shape supplied to said apparatus in at least one rectangulartote box, in a frame of reference for clockwise rotation and in whichsaid tote box is in an upright position, said apparatus comprising anelongated rectangular frame having a bottom surface and a pair of sidesurfaces, a pair of parallel spaced-apart angle irons affixed to saidbottom surface so as to form a slot for receiving a tote box, theseparation of said angle irons being slightly less than the width of thebottom of said tote box,

first means for progressively and gently receiving and spreading saidworkpieces upon the partial rotation of said frame about its elongatedaxis, said first means comprising a curved surface portion perforatedfor permitting the ingress and'egress of processing fluids and connectedto one side surface of said frame, and extending upwardly and to theleft from a region near to one elongated top edge of said tote box adistance along said surface greater than the width of the opening ofsaid box to a region remote from the opposite elongated top edge of saidtote box, said workpieces thereupon being subject to processingoperations,

second means for progressively returning said processed workpieces tosaid tote box upon the further rotation of said frame comprising aninclined planar surface portion connected to the uppermost edge of saidcurved surface so as to form one continuous surface and extendingdownwardly and to the right to a region near to said opposite top edgeof said tote box, said inclined surface including a trapezoidal sectionand a pair of raised triangular wing members disposed on opposite edgesof said section which also extend downwardly and to the right from saiduppermost edge of said curved surface to the vicinity of said oppositetop edge of said tote box, thereby to prevent lateral slippage of saidworkpieces from said inclined surface upon the rotation of said frame.

20. A method for processing workpieces supplied in at least one opencontainer, in a frame of reference for clockwise rotation and in whichsaid container is in an upright position, said method comprising thesteps of progressively and gently dumping said workpieces from saidcontainer onto a first perforated surface partially enclosing saidcontainer by the partial rotation of said container and said surface,said first surface extending upwardly and to left from a region near toone top edge of said container a distance along said surface greaterthan the width of the opening of said container to a region remote fromthe opposite top edge of said container,

spreading said workpieces into a less confined area thereby exposingmore and different surfaces of said workpieces, progressively returningsaid workpieces to said container by means of a second surface extendingdownwardly and to the right from the uppermost end of said first surfaceto a region near to the opposite top edge of said container.

2]. The method of claim 20 for use in conjunctionwith a carouselapparatus having a plurality of processing stations circumferentiallydisposed about a center, each station including an open enclosure, saidmethod comprising prior to said dumping step the additional steps ofloading at least one of said containers into a cylinder having thereinsaid first and second surfaces for each such container, lifting saidloaded cylinder to a height above said enclosures, sequentially rotatingsaid cylinder to each station, lowering said cylinder into saidenclosure through its opening, covering said opening, performing saiddumping, spreading and subjecting and returning steps at least once ateach of said stations.

22. The method of claim 20 including the steps of immersing saidcontainer and said first and second surfaces into a processing solution,emersing said container and said surfaces from said solution, subjectingsaid workpiecesat least to processing vapors and concurrently rotatingsaid container and said surfaces to repeatedly perform said dumping,spreading and returning steps.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein said dumping step is preceded by thestep of coupling said container and said surfaces to a conveyor belt forsuccessive translation to a plurality of processing stations, performingat least once at each of said stations said dumping, spreading,subjecting and returning steps.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said engaging means comprises aframe for carrying said container, and means forming an elongated slotin said frame of width slightly less than the width of the bottom ofsaid container, thereby to provide a pressure fit for said container andto prevent its slippage upon rotation of said apparatus.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2 wherein said slot forming means comprises a pair ofparallel angle irons disposed in spaced relation to one another, theirspaced-apart distance corresponding to the width of said slot.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said first means comprises a first inclinedperforated planar surface extending upwardly and to the left from aregion near to one top edge of said contained to a region remote fromthe opposite top edge of said container, and a substantially horizontalperforated surface having one edge connected to the uppermost edge ofsaid first inclined surface, said surfaces in combination functioning toreceive and spread workpieces upon the partial rotation of saidapparatus.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said second meanscomprises a substantially vertical planar surface having one edgeconnected to a free edge of said horizontal surface, and a secondinclined planar surface having one edge connected to a free edge of saidvertical surface and extending downwardly and to the right to a regionnear to said opposite top edge of said container so that said workpiecesare returned to said container upon the further rotation of saidapparatus.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first meanscomprises a perforated surface curved concavely inward toward the centerof rotation of said apparatus.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein saidsecond means comprises an inclined surface coupled to said curvedsurface along the uppermost edge thereof in said remote region so as toform one continuous surface.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein saidinclined surface includes a trapezoidal section and a pair of raisedwing triangular members disposed on opposite edges of said section whichalso extend from said uppermost edge of said curved surface in thedirection of said opposite top edge of said container, thereby toprevent lateral slippage of said workpieces from said inclined surfaceupon the rotation of said apparatus.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 incombination with means for rotating said apparatus about an axis so asto progressively dump said workpieces from said container into saidfirst means, and means for positioning said apparatus from oneprocessing station to another.
 10. The combination of claim 9 includinga plurality of processing stations disposed circumferentially about acenter and including a loading and unloading station, and wherein saidrotating means comprises a cylindrical container, a rotatable shaftextending axially therethrough, at least one of said apparatus mountedupon said shaft, means for loAding said open containers with workpiecestherein into the apparatus in said cylindrical container, means forsequentially positioning said loaded cylindrical container at each ofsaid stations, means at each of said stations for subjecting saidworkpieces in said containers to preselected processing operations, andmeans for rotating said shaft and hence said apparatus at each of saidstations.
 11. The combination of claim 10 wherein each of saidprocessing stations comprises an enclosure having an opening on its topsurface for receiving said cylindrical container, pneumatic means forcontrolling the vertical position of said cylindrical container, saidmeans being adapted to lift said cylindrical container above the heightof said enclosure, index air cylinder means for rotating the saidcylinder to a position above the opening, said pneumatic means beingadapted to thereupon lower said cylindrical cylinder into saidenclosure.
 12. The combination of claim 9 wherein said rotating meanscomprises a rotatable shaft to which at least one of said apparatus iscoupled so that upon rotation of said shaft about its longitudinal axissaid workpieces are first dumped from said container into said firstmeans and subsequently returned to said container by said second means,means for rotating said shaft about its longitudinal axis, and whereinsaid positioning means comprises means for translating said shaft in adirection normal to its longitudinal axis to a plurality of positions,and means for subjecting said workpieces to processing operations ineach of said positions.
 13. The combination of claim 12 wherein saidsubjecting means comprises a tank for carrying a processing solution andan enclosed space for confining processing vapors, and wherein saidpositioning means comprises means for translating said apparatus fromimmersion in said tank solution to exposure to vapors in said enclosedspace, said shaft and apparatus being rotated continuously in each ofsaid positions.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein a plurality N ofsaid apparatus are disposed circumferentially around said shaft in asymmetrical arrangement in which each of said apparatus occupiesapproximately an angular sector of 360/N*.
 15. The combination of claim14 wherein a pair of said apparatus are coupled to said shaft and aredisposed in 180* sectors diametrically opposite one another with respectto said shaft as a center of symmetry.
 16. The combination of claim 9wherein said positioning means comprises a conveyor belt, means forrotatably connecting at least one of said apparatus to said beltcomprising a gear rotatably affixed to said belt, said gear andapparatus being rigidly affixed to one another, means adjacent to eachof said processing stations for rotating said gear upon the translationof said belt, so as to cause said apparatus to rotate, and means fortranslating said belt.
 17. The combination of claim 16 wherein said gearrotating means comprises an elongated horizontal rack having a pluralityof teeth disposed so as to engage said gear.
 18. The combination ofclaim 17 wherein the length of said rack is approximately equal to anintegral multiple of the length of the circumference of said gear. 19.Rotatable apparatus for processing workpieces or parts of various sizeand shape supplied to said apparatus in at least one rectangular totebox, in a frame of reference for clockwise rotation and in which saidtote box is in an upright position, said apparatus comprising anelongated rectangular frame having a bottom surface and a pair of sidesurfaces, a pair of parallel spaced-apart angle irons affixed to saidbottom surface so as to form a slot for receiving a tote box, theseparation of said angle irons being slightly less than the width of thebottom of said tote box, first means for progressively and gentlyreceiving and spreading said workpieces upon the partial rotation ofsaid frame about its elongated axis, said first means comprising acurved surface portion perforated for permitting the ingress and egressof processing fluids and connected to one side surface of said frame,and extending upwardly and to the left from a region near to oneelongated top edge of said tote box a distance along said surfacegreater than the width of the opening of said box to a region remotefrom the opposite elongated top edge of said tote box, said workpiecesthereupon being subject to processing operations, second means forprogressively returning said processed workpieces to said tote box uponthe further rotation of said frame comprising an inclined planar surfaceportion connected to the uppermost edge of said curved surface so as toform one continuous surface and extending downwardly and to the right toa region near to said opposite top edge of said tote box, said inclinedsurface including a trapezoidal section and a pair of raised triangularwing members disposed on opposite edges of said section which alsoextend downwardly and to the right from said uppermost edge of saidcurved surface to the vicinity of said opposite top edge of said totebox, thereby to prevent lateral slippage of said workpieces from saidinclined surface upon the rotation of said frame.
 20. A method forprocessing workpieces supplied in at least one open container, in aframe of reference for clockwise rotation and in which said container isin an upright position, said method comprising the steps ofprogressively and gently dumping said workpieces from said containeronto a first perforated surface partially enclosing said container bythe partial rotation of said container and said surface, said firstsurface extending upwardly and to left from a region near to one topedge of said container a distance along said surface greater than thewidth of the opening of said container to a region remote from theopposite top edge of said container, spreading said workpieces into aless confined area thereby exposing more and different surfaces of saidworkpieces, progressively returning said workpieces to said container bymeans of a second surface extending downwardly and to the right from theuppermost end of said first surface to a region near to the opposite topedge of said container.
 21. The method of claim 20 for use inconjunction with a carousel apparatus having a plurality of processingstations circumferentially disposed about a center, each stationincluding an open enclosure, said method comprising prior to saiddumping step the additional steps of loading at least one of saidcontainers into a cylinder having therein said first and second surfacesfor each such container, lifting said loaded cylinder to a height abovesaid enclosures, sequentially rotating said cylinder to each station,lowering said cylinder into said enclosure through its opening, coveringsaid opening, performing said dumping, spreading and subjecting andreturning steps at least once at each of said stations.
 22. The methodof claim 20 including the steps of immersing said container and saidfirst and second surfaces into a processing solution, emersing saidcontainer and said surfaces from said solution, subjecting saidworkpieces at least to processing vapors and concurrently rotating saidcontainer and said surfaces to repeatedly perform said dumping,spreading and returning steps.
 23. The method of claim 22 wherein saiddumping step is preceded by the step of coupling said container and saidsurfaces to a conveyor belt for successive translation to a plurality ofprocessing stations, performing at least once at each of said stationssaid dumping, spreading, subjecting and returning steps.